AcftEngr

Some of you have read my ordeal with the airbags.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w210/189570-crash-w-o-airbag.html

I am potentially looking at another E320 and want to get your experience with the 4matic? Got any input about maintenance, reliability, etc?

Also would you consider the W210 better than the W211? What about room...the W210 appears smaller?

Not trying to start a debate but trying to get quality feedback!

Thanks

jago1244

if you are at price point that buys you late w210 vs early w211 i really think you are better off with w210. early w211's are well known reliability nightmares and w210s were sorted out by 01-02.
i still regret making move out of e430 w210 into e500 w211.
i thought 210 felt roomier and with more solid interior materials too.
i had no issues w/4matic in either model. system was undetectable and didnt hurt performance, but these cars are not quite hot rods.
e500 was faster and handled twisties lots better. thats about all i liked about it.
good luck either way
j.

venezzia

I like my 4matic W210, but I think it eats more gas than the non 4matic version.

Also, my W210 is very spacious... don't know how it compares to a W211, though.

Musikmann

I think you are better off with a late W210 vs an early W211 (later ones are supposed to be much better).

The only downsides I have heard about 4matics is they are slightly slower 0-60 and a couple of the front end parts are more expensive. Fuel economy is a bit less too, but not significantly.

Don't forget about the E55 (W210 or W211), but those is not available as a 4-matic.

Since you began this thread on the W210 forum, I'd be curious to see what the W211 owners advise.

Good Luck!

mbnj

I have both but both are 4matics. I think they are both excellent. The '01 210 wagon is a tank and runs fine. I would say my '05 211 has more front seat room but I am quite tall and have enough room in the 210. If you need 4matic it is worth the slight tradeoff in mileage/weight IMO. The 211 is a 500 so it has better acceleration and hugs road better. I bought the '01 210 new and have 104K, I'll probably keep it even if I buy a new car, it's a great hauler, dogs, snow, commuter, etc.

sts15

You do not list where you are living.. If you aree in a dry warm state, I don't think there is any advantage to having 4matic. If you live where there is snow, I cannot imagine why you would not want the 4matic. Mine is great in snow and wet weather. It gives me a great deal of peace of mind knowing I have 4 wheel drive. My 2001 has been only had minor quirks and not major problems. I do think most of the bugs had been fixed by 2001. On the other hand if you can afford a new one, let the warrenty give you peace of mind.

sosh

I had an 01 W210 and currently have an 05 W211. Both were 4Matic and both purchased new. I love the 4Matic and never have had an issue or additional maintenence with it. As far as fuel economy is concerned and speed/power there may be a difference but its negligable and would even be hard to measure. The advantage of the 4 matic is the ability to get where you are going in snow/ice and where I am thats important and a safety issue as well. I have also noticed that the 4 Matic on the highway is like its on rails. Quite a bit more stable and has a better ride and feel. With the W210 vs the W211 my experience with both are excellent. The W211 is larger in some dimensions except the rear seat foot room which is only .4 inch less than the W210. The trunk in the W211 is larger as is the front seat room in most all demensions. The W211 also has more bells and whistles. As far as styling is concerned, both are attractive to me in their own way but at this point the W210 is looking a bit dated. Remember no W210'd have been made since 02 and thats 5 years ago. Whatever you decide, good luck and let us know what happened with the air bag situation.

Musikmann

Sosh made a good point that I had forgotten about. 4matics are much more stable in a driving rain, in additon to the wintery conditions we usually think about.

Quadcammer

I don't have a lot of faith in the 4 matic. Mine has been making knocking noises from the front righthand side on fairly hard acceleration going into uphill right hand turns. Im not sure if thats the asr hitting the brakes or what, but it doesn't sound good.

If you don't get a TON of snow, don't bother, imho.

1, mb doesn't use a transaxle like audi, so there are more connections and more things to leak.

2. $1200 half shafts with no known cv joint replacement options, tons of labor for any front end work, and generally more to worry about.

sosh

Never have heard this before, nor have I experienced it on either of 5, 4Matics I own/have owned. (2 E class and 3 ML's). What year do you have, how many miles??As for the Audi comparison, having owned an Audi years ago for a very short time period ( I really disliked that car) I can say that the MB system works better and smoother than the Audi and is certainly more reliable. On the Audi I could feel the front wheel drive kick in and out and there was a lag in getting power to the slipping wheels.

Quadcammer

2000, 430, 50,500 miles.

My 117k mile 98.5 a4 1.8t seemed to have a totally flawless awd. Never had any issues.